Hello Fellow Region 2 Members

On November 30 and December 1, 2011 your GMO Presidents, GMO Delegates, Participating Member Delegates and interested Region 2 members attended the Region 2 meeting where we discuss a variety of topics relevant to USDF and Region 2.

We have a lot of exciting plans being put into place for 2012 and I implore you to contact me if you are interested in getting involved.

The information below are the minutes from the 2 Region 2 Meetings.

Notes from USDF Region 2 Meeting

USDF Annual Meeting

November 30, 2011

San Diego, CA

·      33 Region 2 members in attendance

·      5 minute presentation by Dressage Foundation

·      Reviewed Agenda and asked for additional agenda items (none received)

·      Reviewed October 2011 Region 2 conference call report

·      Cathy Jacob presented the Region 2 Financial report.  Basically, the budget has stayed flat for the past 2 years.  In 2011 we are up a bit over $100.00.  At present the region does not have any programs that are designed to add funds to the budget. 

·      Cathy Jacob discussed the overall Region 2 Schooling Show Awards program. This year we had 23 people sign-up for the program (Intro through Second Level).  The program is designed to at least break even, however the cost of the custom ribbons have gone up and Cathy has proposed a $5.00 increase in entry fees.  After a discussion on this point it was agreed not to raise the fees. Ken was asked to send the Awards program detail to the GMO Presidents

·      Jennifer Truett presented the educational concept for the “live streaming” video program utilizing Mich. State and the McPhil Center.  Jennifer will be speaking with Dr. Clayton next week and will determine if the proposal is possible.  Jennifer has offered to chair the Region 2 Education committee.   Kelly Gage, Joann Smith and Connie Esposito have expressed interest in serving on the committee.  Others who are interested should contact Jennifer

·      The Region 2 Website was discussed.  Ken requested that GMOs send clinic and schooling show schedules and they will be entered onto the website.

·      It was also proposed that the Region 2 Facebook  group sites should have a link to the Region 2 website.  Ken agreed to making this happen.  It was also agreed that the Region 2 website should be the primary site with the facebook page only directing people to the website.

·      Ken requested assistance with gathering “news” for the Region 2 newsletter and Website.  Lynda Porter and Kerry Petty volunteered to help with this important communication program

• Ken also requested volunteers for the Region 2 Championship Committee.  The following have volunteered their services:  Joann Smith,  Jennifer Roth, Maryal Barnett, Jackie Liebke-Puetz and Roberta Williams.  We will finalize the committee in the near future.

·      Brief discussion on Region 2 charging a fee for each ride down centerline for recognized shows.  Many other Regions do this and they generate significant income for the Region.  Agreed that no action be taken until the USEF ruling on this topic is finalized

·      Nominations coordinator is needed for the Region.  Paula Briney volunteered to take on this position for 2012We did have a volunteer but apparently I failed to write-down who agreed to do this.

December 1, 2011

·      Reviewed minutes from 11/30 meeting.  Corrections were noted and changes made

·      Jennifer Truitt discussed conversations that she has had with USDF about the Region 2 Education program using live video streaming.  USDF if very excited about this and may want to adopt this for National use if it is successful

·      E-Trak program has offered to provide a method of having USDF members log on to the web site and then they can click on a link that gives them access to the educational program.  This will resolve the challenge of trying to restrict the program to Region 2 or USDF members only.

·      Major discussion on National Championships

o   Question on whether there has been a long-term analysis on how the National Championship will be funded.  Will the program be self-sustaining?

o   Concerns over time of year and venue.  This is especially true for the first year or two

o   Dressage is the only equestrian sport without a National Championship, we need to do this

• Straw poll taken of Region 2 meeting attendees.  Out of 30+ attendees, all supported having the National Championship with only 3 voting against the program

Respectfully submitted

Ken Levy

USDF Region 2 Director

Best regards,

Kenneth Levy, Ph.D., MBA
USDF Region 2 Director